One year, and I still can't believe you're gone.

My heart is full of sads.

But life goes on. 

Here is this week's Currently!

WISHING
I said I love you more. Maybe the reason why I'm still grieving this much over the loss of my Uncle is because I didn't get to tell him how cool I thought he was. So I'm saying this to you now: I love you, guys. Thanks for coming to my life.

WRITING
Emails for work. Too much to do, too little time.

LISTENING TO
Jason Mraz. Mr. A-Z got married today! What's your favorite Jason Mraz song? Mine are A Beautiful Mess, I'm Yours, and The Woman I Love. ♥

THINKING
Of completing my lists as early as now. Christmas is barely two months(!!!) away, and I wouldn't want to be a deer caught in the headlights when the craziness starts like my experiences from the past few Christmases. I bought most of my gifts online last year and I think I'm going to do that again this time. Time is expensive, and I'd rather not spend that stuck in traffic or going around malls looking for the perfect gift.

ZALORA is joining forces with the e-commerce giants to bring you the biggest deals and discounts this holiday season, and I am so excited to spend some serious moolah check out the huge deals and discounts I can get! It's a revolution you wouldn't want to miss out on because it's the one time where e-commerce giants come together for the biggest online sale of the year. I buy a lot of my dresses for events from Zalora (the most recent is my galaxy dress I wore at the StrangeLit book launch) because it's just so easy, convenient, and reliable. The only time you would find me trooping to the mall to shop these days is if I have gift cards to spend, hee.

FEELING
Frazzled, but there's nothing that a good long cry (and supportive words from my boyfriend) can't fix. ;)


NEEDING
A trip out of town, preferably with amazing views, please.

WANTING
To send out postcards to people so email or tweet me if you want one!


I hope that wherever you are, you are happy and loved. Take care of your hearts. ♥

Just so you know, I don't do things half-assed.

Yesterday, to introduce my story A Sky of Wishes at the StrangeLit book launch, I wore the galaxy.

The launch was held in Recession Coffee (thank you!) because what better way to celebrate new ebooks than with gadgets and coffee? The place was positively packed with authors, family, and friends who went all the way to Eastwood for this special day. 

It was a beautiful day for dreams to come true. The fact that it was already my second time to do this (my first ebook was launched in April) didn't make it any less exciting and thrilling! I wish I took more photos, but I seriously just wanted to breathe it all in that I only got a few. I couldn't stop grinning!

It's impossible to tell you how grateful I am for all the love and support I have been given by my family, friends, and readers of my work. I write not because I want to get rich off it but because I have untold stories waiting to be shared. Thank you for fueling my wishes for these stories to see the light of day! You inspire me endlessly! 

After the launch I was supposed to host a winner chicken dinner for my friends, but I ended up spending the rest of the day walking around TriNoma and SM North EDSA with Miah. We capped the night with delicious ice cream, and it was perfect.

Huge thanks to everyone who already got a copy of our ebook! If you did, please post a comment, send me an email, or tweet me so I can send you a postcard! For those who haven't yet, you may go to this link. It's at a very special price of only P45 for a limited time so clickity-click! I'm also giving away copies here!

I couldn't have wished for a better way for this day to unfold. I'm storing the memories in my little pockets of joy in my heart so I have something to use when the blues come. One of my biggest dreams is to be published, and this year I got to do it! TWICE! My gratitude cup runneth over for everyone who helped me make it happen.

Next dream: A TANGIBLE BOOK THAT READERS CAN HOLD AND SNIFF. Thanks in advance, Universe!

"Sometimes, when we lose ourselves in fear and despair, in routine and constancy, in hopelessness and tragedy, we can thank God for bavarian sugar cookies. And fortunately, when there aren't any cookies we can still find reassurance and a familiar hand on our skin. Or a kind and loving gesture. Or a subtle encouragement. Or a loving embrace. Or an offer of comfort. Not to mention, hospital gurneys. And nose plugs. And uneaten Danish. And soft-spoken secrets. And Fender Stratocasters. And maybe, the occasional piece of fiction. And we must remember that all these things - the nuances, the anomalies, the subtleties - which we assume only accessorize our days are in fact bearing a much larger and nobler cause. They are here to save our lives."

--- Stranger Than Fiction

Not really bavarian sugar cookies, but good enough.

This week's Currently comes a day late because of Internet connection fail in the Cruz residence last night. Also, did you guys feel that earthquake? I was in my room mulling about stuff when I felt my bed shake. I didn't really think much of it because my beauty stuff and books weren't toppling over, but, yeah, earthquakes are scary. I hope that was the last of it in a long, long time.

I'm also thankful the typhoon in Manila wasn't that destructive, but others weren't as lucky. You may drop donations at Route 196 if you want to lend a helping hand. You may check out RockEd's Twitter account for more details.

Here is this week's Currently!


READING
I just finished reading Zen Pencils by Gavin Aung Than this weekend. I also read more stories from the StrangeLit bundles and my favorites so far are The Last Night of Her Wake by Chrissie Peria, The 'Forget You' Brew by Tara Frejas, and Majesty by Jay E. Tria. I can't wait to read the rest! I wish I have more time but I'm always too tired when I get home that I only get to read on weekends. I'm also hoping to start with Carry On by Rainbow Rowell. So many books, so little time. *exaggerated sigh*

WRITING
A scene for my New Adult novella (yep, the continuation of Nate and Tanya's story) came to me in the shower yesterday and I was able to write more than 500 words on it! It was the first time I got excited about writing again after finishing A Sky of Wishes so I'm crossing my fingers the spark continues until I finish it!

LISTENING TO
Nate Ruess, again. Heh. He just calms me.

THINKING
Of how I will celebrate my birthday next year. Yesterday's weekly office powwow triggered this. After all, it's not every day a girl turns 30. ;)

FEELING
Sad but I'd rather not dwell on it, so I'm turning my non-smiles into smiles.

WANTING
More people to buy our book Incredible Truths, and that you guys can come support us at our book launch! (By the way, I'm giving away three copies of our ebook bundle here!)

NEEDING
A hair makeover. I AM SO EXCITED FOR MY APPOINTMENT WITH JURO SALON EXCLUSIF THIS FRIDAY!

WISHING
That everything will be okay. If not, well, there are always cookies and stories and Nate Ruess to be thankful for.

I hope that wherever you are, you are happy and loved. Take care of your hearts. ♥

In case you missed it, I wrote a new story that is part of a new ebook bundle, and it's now out in Buqo! For an introductory price of only P90, you will get ten urban fantasy/ paranormal stories and support ten Filipino authors' dreams (including mine!) at the same time. 

To be honest, I wasn't a big fan of this story at first. I regretted putting writing off because of various reasons, and when the time came that I really had to face it because of the deadline, I wasn't able to apply the same formula I did for my YA story: procrastinate and then write the hell out of the story in four sleepless nights. I underestimated the amount of sleep a girl in her late 20s and with a ton of job responsibilities needs. And so, I felt like it was rushed and not at par with Once Upon a Sticky Note. (I'm not saying that that story is going to win awards anytime soon but you know what I mean.) 

Now that the book has been out for a couple of weeks and the reviews have started coming, I was pleasantly surprised that people liked it. I've only heard positive things about my story A Sky of Wishes and this is making my heart beat with pride and delight. ♥

(Let's just ignore the fact that there was a teeny mistake on the first version and just focus on the fact that it has already been corrected, hee.)

I am proud to present to you A Sky of Wishes, included in the StrangeLit: Incredible Truths ebook bundle.

Beware the tale that distracts you with the telling -- it's planting a truth in your mind, and you may find yourself believing in the incredible, too. Sit back and let it happen, while reading:

A world governed by logic and rules does not have time for childhood fantasies like wishing stars, or so we thought. After Stella gets diagnosed with a terminal illness, Aries turns to the sky and pleads for his mother to be healed. Imagine his surprise when a Star manifests itself to him, willing to give him anything he wishes for. There is only one rule: Everything comes with a price. With his mother's life on the line, how far can he go? In a battle between fates and wishes, what will Aries be willing to give up?

Trivia: All the names of the characters in A Sky of Wishes were derived from names of stars and celestial bodies.

If you liked Once Upon a Sticky Note in the Sweet Complications ebook, I hope you guys can also grab a copy of this book! (If you didn't, well, I hope you can also still grab a copy because, who knows, I might be a better fantasy writer than a YA writer. Heh.)

Sadness was moping two weekends ago because we were about to go out but she didn't want to leave the house; she wanted to stay and read Incredible Truths. What a brat!

Balance was finally restored when we got home and she got the chance to read without me meddling. What a sweetheart!

I'd like to share with you the Acknowledgments section of my story just because.

The other stories in our bundle include Nexus Series Book 1: Anathema by Ysa Arcangel; Bloodline Maharlika by Anne Plaza; Shake-Ups by Elea Andrea Almazora; As The Night Ends by Alveel Kaith Cimafranca; The Secret Society by S.J.M Fuertes; Talulikas Chronicles by Clark Feliciano; Stormy Hollow by L.C Mills; 31st by Cindy Dela Cruz; and Viva Voce by DJ Paraguya.

Have I convinced you to buy a copy of Incredible Truths yet? If so, please visit Buqo!

Here is the ad on Buqo together with the three other StrangeLit bundles: Darkest Dreams, Fateful Turns, and Killer Seasons. I hope you can check out all of our bundles while they're still available for the incredibly low price of only P90 each! Regular price is at P250.

If I haven't convinced you enough yet, then might I interest you with a giveaway to win one of three copies of Incredible Truths? But first, you must have the Buqo app installed on your mobile device to qualify! If you don't have it yet, kindly download it (for free!) first from the App Store or the Play Store.

Done? Good. Please join my giveaway via the Rafflecopter widget below. This giveaway is open worldwide!

a Rafflecopter giveaway
It closes come the end of the month. Good luck!

While we're at it, I would also like to invite you to our book launch happening on October 24, Saturday, 2 to 4 PM, in Recession Coffee in Eastwood Mall! We'll read excerpts from our stories, take photos, have coffee, give loot bags, and just have fun hanging out! I'll also have a mini pizza and/ or chicken wings party for my friends who will go to the event so please come and say hi!

Aaand while we're still at it, I'd also like to invite you, if you're reading this and you have a blog, to join the StrangeLit Blog Tours organized by Dianne. Basically, you'll get to help Filipino authors spread the word about our work in exchange for good book karma. Sounds good? Good!

Whew, that was a long post! I'm actually feeling dead exhausted right now because of a hell week of events and launches, but I had an extra spurt of energy when I decided I wanted to write about this now. Hee.

So there! For those of you who have already read our book, ratings and reviews are much appreciated! Alternatively you may also tweet us using the hashtags #StrangeLit and #IncredibleTruths!

THANK YOU SO MUCH! You're a Star and your support means a lot!

I subscribe to the MBTI personality inventory because I find that the results have remained consistent in all the times I took the test. (I also exclaim "Ugh. It's so me!" on every other sentence of my result's description.) I am an ENFP.

According to this results page, "ENFPs are warm, enthusiastic people, typically very bright and full of potential. They live in the world of possibilities, and can become very passionate and excited about things. Their enthusiasm lends them the ability to inspire and motivate others, more so than we see in other types. They can talk their way in or out of anything. They love life, seeing it as a special gift, and strive to make the most out of it." Ugh. It's so me!

It's hard to live knowing you have an unforeseen deadline that comes closer with every second; it makes me anxious that I am not living my life fully, that I am not making the most out of the little time I have.

But living in fear negates that, and so I have decided that if I am not making the most out of the little time I have, then I should just go ahead and do it.

This week's source of inspiration is this little book from B'lue -- Live to Feel Stories: A collection of moments and experiences from this generation's storytellers.

Its inside pages are peppered with snippets from people who are known in their respective fields, as well as the things we live for.







I love books like this because the stories make me realize that if other people were able to do it, then why can't I? What's stopping me?

Lack of money, time, and opportunities.

However, I do believe that if you are really invested in something, then everything is possible.

A treasure trove of inspiration, if you will.


With B'lue, you can be at your personal best anytime, anywhere.

The newest lifestyle drink in town invites you to experience the feeling of being fully alive. To feel alive, one must be refreshed in mind, body, and mood, and that's what B'lue - the drink that supports the generation that lives to feel - can do for you.

B'lue is a water-based drink with stimulating fruit flavors and blend of vitamins. This is actually perfect for those who hate the [non] taste of water! The flavor I got is Inspiring Calamansi, and it really is refreshing and delicious! I want need more, and I think I need to get a lot so that I can keep a running stash in the office. You can find this in supermarkets and convenience stores!

Any related stories you might want to share? Live to express and sound off!

Disclosure: This is a sponsored post but all opinons are my own. Read my blog’s complete Disclosure Policy here. 

Ten years ago, I was privileged to have been chosen as one of the 10 student delegates to represent the Philippines to the Sunburst Youth Camp 2004 held in Singapore. The youth camp's main goal is for teenagers from different countries (there were 13 in our batch) to know what teenage life's like in each respective country, and hopefully, with knowledge comes understanding. It was a great success as we easily befriended one another and gained a lot of insight about one another's lives. 

My roommates were a Singaporean named Faith and a Lao named Tay. During a lull in our conversation while we were getting ready for lunch, I told them about how it was my and my then-boyfriend's monthsary that day. First came confusion, and then amusement after I explained to them what a monthsary is.

"A monthsary is when you and your significant other celebrate another month of togetherness. You know, like a month-anniversary. A monthsary." I said matter-of-factly, realizing that celebrating monthsaries must be a Filipino thing, a concept foreign to my new friends.

"You mean people aren't even confident enough that they will reach one year together that they now consider months as milestones?" Faith asked with a laugh.

And to that, "Huh," was all I could answer.

So why do we celebrate monthsaries? I personally think it's cute. I have this habit of remembering each milestone that may be sweet within the context of the relationship, but turns out to be devastating for me when it ends. Because when the relationship ends, I still remember the milestones. Yes, they still pass my mind from time to time, but I don't have any feelings associated with these memories anymore. And that's why I wish I could just forget them to make space for more memories.

I don't know where I'm going with this, all I know is that The 'Forget You' Brew by Tara Frejas gave me [my ultimate favorite movie] Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind feels when I finished reading it on my way to work this morning. You can read it by getting the Killer Seasons ebook bundle. (And while you're at it, you might want to purchase the Incredible Truths ebook bundle as well. Shameless plug because it contains my story A Sky of Wishes.)

Here is this week's Currently!

READING
The #StrangeLit ebooks. I am not saying this just because I have a story in there, but I am so proud of my classmates! I haven't finished all the bundles yet but my favorite stories so far are The Last Night of Her Wake by Chrissie Peria and the aforementioned The 'Forget You' Brew by Tara Frejas.

WRITING
Holy shizz do I have a lot of story ideas waiting to be written down.

LISTENING TO
The Best of 2000s Pop Spotify playlist. It's what I currently listen to now on my way to and from work. Nothing like nostalgia to give you a boost of energy you never thought you needed, heh.

THINKING
Who really did first come up with the idea to celebrate monthsaries? Really, who?

FEELING
Kilig because it's my and my boyfriend's monthsary today! Heh.

Excited for my hair makeover happening very soon.

WISHING
Everything goes well this month. It's hell month and we are terribly busy but yes, I hope everything goes well.


Orrrrr I could just wish to be whisked away to Agrabah!

Oh well. I hope that wherever you are, you are happy and loved. Take care of your hearts. ♥

Last Saturday, instead of our usual haunts for his kind of toys, Miah and I went to SM Megamall for my kind of toys. It was  the launch of Plush & Play as the first Filipino-made plushie brand to be sold in Toy Kingdom!

I first saw Plush & Play toys when I was replenishing my Human Nature stash. I found the toys cute, but I was more amused by their funny and witty names inspired by local icons. Come on, names like Manny Pakwan, Anne Kamatis, Buko Martin, and Pan Talong would at least elicit a smile, if not a giggle, right? I found Filipinya to be the cutest and planned to buy but never got around to doing it because I wanted to see them in person first. So when I got the invite, it was a no-brainer: I had to go!

Manny Pakwan and I with Tish and Debbie

Fancy meeting you alone in the crowd, couldn't help but notice your frown 🎶🎶

Upon inspecting the toys, I am glad to report back to you that they are all sturdy, well-stuffed, very well-made, and not a stitch was out of place! You can really tell that they were made with love and went through careful quality control. Hand-stitched with love and stuffed with dreams, as their slogan says, indeed. They're a great addition to Toy Kingdom and would make excellent gifts for young kids (or even young-at-hearts like us):

Happy [human and fruit] faces! I bought a Filipinya plushie (P249.75) while Miah got Jessica Saging (P179.75). The banana peel is removable, by the way! ADORABLE! We also got free mini Manny Pakwan and Jessica Saging plush keychains from the nice lady going around distributing them to guests.

Lookie, my Filipinya was handcrafted with love by Tita Belo

Very affordable, too, considering the quality materials and level of workmanship it took to make them! I am a happy and proud Plush & Play owner!

Filipinya now sits with my other plushie friends, and they are one big happy plushie family!

As far as I know, they are only available at Toy Kingdom in SM Megamall for now, so better hightail it there to beat the holidaze and accomplish your holiday shopping early! Of course you can also shop from the comforts of your home by visiting their website where there are more selections available, or Human Nature's website where you can shop for other personal care, beauty, and wellness products alongside your toy-shopping.

Plush & Play toys are gifts that keep on giving, and I am happy to be spreading the word about these plushies. I think I will even get more for myself! I want that big Manny Pakwan plushie (P749.75), actually. Hmmm.

Year after year I always say I will start my Christmas shopping early so that I will not have to cram come the holidaze, but I never learn. I promise to do better this year though, because I realized I am a fully functioning adult who pays taxes and deals with other adult stuff and so I shouldn't have to deal with running around like a headless chicken two days before Christmas.

The Digital Walker Madness Sale couldn't have come at a better time, and if you want to get the perfect gift for geeks and tech-freaks on your Christmas list (OR maybe the geek and tech-freak in your list is YOU), then I suggest you check out this sale, too!

Since opening their first futuristic and pop-art inspired store in 2004, Digital Walker has set the bar for industrial class and fashion forward digital accessorizing. The aim has been to gear today’s technocrats up with hip, quality, and trailblazing multi-platform tech accessories so they may walk into the future, ready to get their geek on in super style. Offering a slew of noteworthy music-head gear, portable speakers, gizmo guards and a few cult loved gadgets, the true tech-savvy and social geek won’t have to think twice about a single purchase. 

In this modern day and age, it is important for us to keep up with life as it moves at the speed of light, if not faster. And Digital Walker believes in walking into the future well equipped to face every single day without missing a beat, hence their state-of-the-art techie lifestyle offerings which we all need. So don’t miss out when their awesome Digital Walker Madness Sale arrives in full swing! Walk on over to Shangri-La Malls’ East Wing ground floor at EDSA cor. Shaw Boulevard, Mandaluyong City on October 14 to 18 and snatch deals with mad discounts, dipping prices up to 70% on selected brands such as Aiaiai, Boomphones, Boostcase, Brave, Carbon audio, Crumpler, Gear4, Õlloclip, Quirky, Soundfreaq, and SwitchEasy. Digital Walker is making it 70% easier for everyone to gear up and walk into the future, prepped with proper and stylish technocratic necessities.

Happy shopping!

On my previous post I mentioned that I'm sending Sadness somewhere else for a makeover and that I am so excited to see her new look.

Well, that makeover hasn't happened yet, but it will. In the meantime, she's back with me and we're having more adventures together!

She's taking over my life. I think I need help. Hahaha.

Here is this week's Currently!


READING
The #StrangeLit Incredible Truths bundle that also contains my short story A Sky of Wishes. Actually, I messed up and overlooked something on my manuscript that I didn't think would be that noticeable, but so far it has been pointed out to me by the two people who reviewed my work. Thankfully, John of Buqo agreed for me to send him an edited manuscript, so new purchases from today onwards will contain this new version. Yay! Thanks, John! (Meanwhile, those who have already bought their copies now hold in their hands a limited edition version. When I get famous, that'll be a collector's item. Heh.)

WRITING
Nothing at the moment, but Miah and I conceptualized a couple of plot bunnies that I would love to turn into stories, so I better work on them soon before the idea flies away.

LISTENING TO
Nate Ruess forever and ever. I just remembered how awesome his album is, and so I have been listening to it on loop on my way to and from work. I don't even know why I bother with a Spotify Premium account when I don't really get to maximize it, heh.

THINKING
Of possible giveaways for the people who will join our Book Launch [in Recession Coffee on October 24] and buy our ebooks!

What do you think of postcards with these prints?

I also commissioned Ana to make me accessories that I can also give away during the launch. So excited to get them!

FEELING
Thankful and happy because I saw this nut earlier after work.

Thankful and happy because the two reviews I have gotten towards A Sky of Wishes so far have been positive and encouraging.

Thankful and happy because I got featured on When in Manila's list of "14 Artsy People who Inspire Us on Instagram on a Daily Basis." It's the first time I got featured because of my art! And because of Sadness, LOL.

WANTING
More people to buy our book Incredible Truths. Come on, people, while it costs P90 only for the ten stories! Grabbity-grab now before the price goes up to its regular price of P250!

NEEDING
A new wardrobe. We have a ton of events happening in the next couple of weeks and a new selection of clothes would be awesome.

WISHING
That everything that concerns work goes smoothly. My stress levels are very high recently, to be honest.

Oh well. I hope that wherever you are, you are happy and loved. Take care of your hearts. ♥

So yeah, I've been pretty much obsessed with Sadness ever since I saw the Disney-Pixar film Inside Out because, really, how could you not?? She's adorable! And look, even if I did a terrible job, I even painted her! I liked her so much that I wanted to get at least one collectible toy but all the toy stores I went to didn't have stocks anymore.

I finally got one from Collecticon last Saturday, and I've been having so much fun with her since then!

It's a Funko Disney POP!

Last Tuesday, we went south of the Metro for a meeting and check out Wingstop which opened in Alabang Town Center this week.

Sadness enjoyed the day-out but was pretty bummed that we were too early for the Wingstop Takeover where they gave away FREE wings to everyone who was in line from 5 to 8 PM! They do this whenever they open a new branch and I've always wanted to go and join the fun!

Last Wednesday, we had a mini event with Max's where bloggers and select guests got to try the Max's Classic Chicken Bundle.

Sadness wanted so badly to try the Classic Chicken Burger, Ube Creme Decadence, and even the Caramel Bars. Too bad she doesn't have a functioning digestive system nor a mouth. Heh.

Friday promised laces to go to, people to meet, food to eat... But all I wanted to do was stay home and sleep.

But we couldn't.

Instead, we had a mile-long to-do list at work in preparation for the numerous events we'll have in the next few weeks, so we sucked it in and just did it. As a treat for surviving the week, my officemates and I just got a dozen chocolate cupcakes from Dimpy's Kitchen!

My plans for Friday night were cancelled so we went home instead, but we're raring for a drink and all I could offer Sadness was a yummy-smelling faux Virgin Mojito.

If it isn't obvious yet, I'd just like to say that I'm having so much fun with her.

I think I will have more fun the next time I present her to you guys again. I sent her somewhere for a makeover, and I am so excited to see how she will look like after! Eeek I can't wait!